Exploring More of Europe by Cruise Ship

Many people who think about cruising in Europe automatically think of the Mediterranean. That’s understandable, given the wonderful ports that line the Mediterranean Sea, from the Greek Isles in the east to Barcelona, Spain, in the west.

However, much of Europe lies beyond (specifically, to the north) of the Mediterranean. The British Isles, the North and Baltic Seas, and the coast of Norway all present appealing alternatives to a Mediterranean cruise.

Cunard Line offers a uniquely British experience on its 10-night "Around the British Isles” cruise. Embarking from Southampton, England, the ship calls on South Queensferry (Edinburgh), Invergordon and Kirkwall, Scotland; Liverpool, England; Dublin, Ireland; and Saint Peter Port on the English Channel island of Guernsey before returning to Southampton.

To explore the great capitals on the Baltic Sea, consider Holland America Line’s 14-day "Jewels of the Baltic” cruise. After departing from Dover, England, the ship stops in Copenhagen, Denmark, and Warnemunde, a Baltic Sea resort and port for Berlin, Germany. From there, the ship sails to Tallin, Estonia; St. Petersburg, Russia; Helsinki, Finland; Stockholm Sweden; and the Swedish island of Gotland before returning to Dover.

To take you to the far northern reaches of Europe – perhaps even above the Arctic Circle – Holland America Line offers a variety of cruises that take in the gorgeous coast of Norway. A seven-night cruise from Amsterdam, The Netherlands, includes stops in Bergen, Flam and Stavanger, Norway, with scenic cruising through no less than three stunning fjords. Some of Holland America Line’s longer itineraries combine coastal Norway and the Baltic Sea, Iceland and the Faroe Islands in one cruise.

Another alternative to the Mediterranean is a cruise to the Canary Islands, located off the northwest coast of Africa. The islands are part of Spain and are one of the outermost regions of the European Union. Royal Caribbean offers an 11-night "Canaries Cruise” roundtrip from Southampton, England, which calls on Vigo, Spain, and Lisbon, Portugal, before visiting the largest of the Canary Islands, Tenerife. On the return trip, the ship calls on the Portuguese island of Madeira and La Coruna, Spain. Tenerife is also a stop on some of Royal Caribbean’s transatlantic repositioning cruises, which move ships between the Caribbean or South American and Europe in the spring and fall.

To find an itinerary that will have you discovering Europe beyond the Mediterranean, talk with your Cruise Holidays personal cruise expert.